International Studies Program

Bachelor or Arts (B.A.)

International Studies Program Website

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As we all know, the world is a socially shrinking place. With the advent of social media, people have cultural access to more places than ever and are making many global connections. With a degree in International Studies, you will be prepared to work in a global environment. This may mean you live and work abroad, you live in the United States and travel abroad for work, or you work and live in the United States while focusing on international issues. Additionally, our program is very interdisciplinary and offers you a lot of freedom to study topics and regions that interest you.

Another exciting aspect of our program is going abroad. Although we do not require our students to experience life abroad, we highly suggest that you spend time at a foreign university, take a faculty-led course, or find an internship in a different country to further your global awareness. Financial resources are always available to assist you if going abroad is something that interests you. We also encourage you to participate in extracurricular activities, whether it be joining the International Studies Student Club, student government, the Freshman Interest Group (FIG) or volunteering in the community.

 

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Majoring in International Studies

Core Courses - Students take 9 hours of core coursework. INST 2350 (Intro to Global Studies) and INST 2310 (Introduction to International Relations) provide the theoretical framework for the global and regional tracks. INST 4950 (Capstone) provides the culminating experience for students completing the B.A. degree in international studies and fulfills the COM3 writing requirement for the University Studies Program.

Area of Focus - Students will complete a minimum of 18 hours of coursework in two specific areas of focus, choosing a global and regional track. Students must complete a minimum of 9 hours in each track. 

• Global Tracks - Governance and Conflict Resolution; Economic Systems; Culture and Social Issues; Sustainable Development and the Environment 

• Regional Tracks - Africa and the Middle East; Asia and the Pacific Rim; Europe and the Former Soviet Union; Latin America 

Global and Regional Tracks have suggested Gateway courses. Most Gateway courses fulfill University Studies requirements. All INST students are required to take the Regional Gateway course in their chosen region, either: INST 2230 (Introduction to Asian Studies), INST 2240 (Introduction to African Studies), INST 2250 (Introduction to Latin American Studies), or INST 2280 (Introduction to European Studies). These courses fulfill the COM2 requirement for International Studies and also count towards the nine (9) hours required for the Regional Track.

Foreign Language - Students must complete 18 hours in a single foreign language with one course at the 3000/4000-level, or show an equivalent level of proficiency. Language courses must be conversational language courses. American Sign Language is not considered a foreign language. 

Electives - Students must take 9 hours of elective courses from the international studies curriculum, six of which must be upper-division. The following Gateway courses can count toward the elective requirement: ANTH 1200, ECON 1000, INST 1060 (=GEOG 1000), INST/POLS 1200, INST 1330.